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Are these symptoms of anxiety or is it something else?

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Posted 5/23/2011 2:00 AM (GMT 0)
I feel like I'm experiencing the weirdest symptoms in my every day life.

I'm a student and every time I sit down to read, after 10 minutes, I am completely disoriented. I can't remember what I have just read and my head is spinning. I get this aching in my head and dizziness. I feel like I just can't take in any more information and can't focus at all. I have to take about an hour to just doodle on a paper before I feel like my brain is ready to function again, although the ache doesn't go away (just dulls down).

Same thing happens after my classes or a test. After spending an 1 1/2 in a class in a class, I walk out and feel like I can barely understand what is going on. It's hard for me to get my head together to even safely cross a street (like it's such a task for me to concentrate and comprehend whether or not it is safe to cross). I also get emotionally vulnerable like random things will make me want to burst out into tears or vomit. I rarely actually vomit, but I always feel on the brink of it. Same thing after an exam. I just have to go somewhere where there is no sound AT ALL because my head is just buzzing and it hurts. It's only a good night's sleep that I feel better.

It seems like everything just overwhelms me, even in small amounts. Even after talking to someone, their voice will echo in my head for a while and I feel like I've taken in so much information because of what they said (even if the conversation was only 5 minutes.)

I have constant anxiety because of my generalized anxiety disorder, but I do not feel an increase of anxiety when I'm reading or in class or talking to someone. Does it sound like all this could be from my anxiety or does it seem like something else may be going on?
Posted 5/23/2011 2:59 AM (GMT 0)
Just a few thoughts.................certainly anxiety symptoms are varied but you might want to go to a doc and see if something else might be going on. Do you think that your problems might be visually triggered? Does your vision need to be checked? Your symptoms can also be migraine-related. It is always a good idea when symptoms change to go to a medical professional you trust. Please get it checked out and stay in touch.
Posted 5/23/2011 2:53 PM (GMT 0)
I am sorry to read of your contiuning anxiety. I know back in November you were concerned that your therapist was not helping you. Wondering if you continued with the therapy or tried the CBT (cognitive-behavioral) therapy yet. The online version is the MoodGYM and it is free. Here is the link for you: http://moodgym.anu.edu.au/welcome The site states that over 400,000 people have used this program.

I agree with the suggestion that you see your medical Doctor for a medical screening exam to check out your sx.

Take care and I wish you well,

Kitt
Posted 5/23/2011 3:20 PM (GMT 0)
Hi ST, I would would recommend following up on the great advice you have already received from JM and Kitt. I can however asssure you that I have had similar experiences.

I think that I (and I suspect a lot of A/Per's are) am a detail-oriented person to a fault. In that I mean, I put in so much effort/concentration/energy into everthing that I do, that things becomes overwheming to me very easily.

I think that it also has something to do with the supreme energy it takes to manage anxiety. Even if you do not consciously feel it, the work that you are doing to fight the anxiety, on top of the task at hand...reading, socializing, learning in class, ect., is leaving you feeling drained.

I compare it to seeing a really intense movie. When it's over you know how sometimes you feel disoriented? I think that the brain gets overloaded and wants to shut out any further stimulus!

Please note that these are all my own crack-pot theories! I am not an expert in, well, anything:p  I just know what I have experienced, and what helps  me...

I have found that this has improved for me with time and maturity. I do remember though that taking as many quiet, mental vacation breaks as possible helped. Maybe finding a quiet place to do some deep breathing/relaxation exercises during school breaks would work. Also during long reading sessions, break every 20-30 minutes and have a stretch, some water and maybe a snack.

Speaking of food, how's your over-all nutrition? Are you eating well and drinking enough water? It's amazing how this can effect performance! How about sleep? Are you getting at least 7 hrs (if not more!) a night? These are just things that a person your age should be thinking about:)...not trying to be nosy, but hey I am a mom! Lol.

I hope that the advice you've received so far has given you somewhere to start. You have a lot going on right now, but don't forget the most important thing is to take care of yourself.

Let us know how you are doing soon okay?
Scaredy Cat
Posted 5/24/2011 4:27 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you for all your responses.

jewishmother--I do have occasional migraines and I've been to a neurologist, but he doesn't seem to think my problems have a neurological basis. He advised me to go see a psychiatrist, which I did, but the I had a very adverse reaction to the meds and they never helped with the problem I mentioned.

stkitt-I'm seeing a different therapist right now and I'm also feeling like things are not working out. I came in for CBT, but it has since turned into a 5 month thing. We initially discussed only 12 sessions, but after talking with me, she said I need continuous therapy and not only a fixed number of sessions. I'm going to check out the website you gave me. It looks like it might be very useful to me since I feel so stuck.

scaredy cat- I think what you said makes a lot of sense. It does take a lot of effort to suppress my anxiety in order to function. It's likely that that is what is draining me so much. The problem for me with taking breaks from schoolwork is that I get distracted and it is so hard for me to sit back down to study. My anxiety really spikes when, after taking a break, I need to resume studying. As far as my nutrition, I can't say that it's all that great. I do end up missing meals because of school and classes. However, even when I eat better during vacations, I don't really feel a difference. Sleep is a big problem because even with 12 hours of sleep, I still feel tired. I really can't function with 7 or 8 at all. I tend to drift off during the day if I only get 8 hours.
Posted 5/25/2011 12:36 AM (GMT 0)
Just a couple more things to think about 6X...have you done any research on sleep apnea, and ADD? The sleeping patterns you mentioned are a little unusual, twelve hours is a lot. I wonder if something is causing you to have poor quality of sleep, therefore you need more?
The distraction and anxiety related to studying specifically, made me think of my oldest daughter. She is brilliant (tested at highly gifted levels) but never did really well in school due to ADD issues. She was highly distractable and would get anxious about studying and tests.
I am in no way suggesting that either of these issues applies to you. I am simply throwing ideas out there for you to think about. That is the great thing about this forum. You can have a brainstorm with so many people, and somebody just may hit on something that you never thought of looking intosmile
Good luck, and keep posting!
S.C.
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